Rome: Chris Froome wrote his name into the history books as he became the first Briton to win the Giro d’Italia title after coming through unscathed in Sunday’s final processional stage here.
Riding in the gruelling race for the first time since 2010, Froome added the one Grand Tour title missing from his collection.
The 33-year-old joined an exclusive club that includes cycling greats Eddy Merckx and Bernard Hinault as one of only three riders to capture all three Grands Tours in succession.
“For any cyclist this is the dream to have all three leaders’ jerseys in the 10 months,” Froome, who finished 46 seconds ahead of last year’s winner Tom Dumoulin in the overall standings, told ‘Eurosport’.
“Pinching myself! There were times over the last three weeks when I thought this wouldn’t be possible. This is a dream come true,” Froome later said on his Twitter account.
Froome, who crossed the finish line with his hands on the shoulders of Sky teammates, won the Tour de France and Vuelta a Espana last year and his success at the Giro was built on a remarkable performance in Friday’s 19th stage which put him in full control to win the Maglia Rosa.
Froome turned the race on its head in that stage and saw off several late attacks by Dumoulin to come into contention after being off the pace in the opening week. He had even crashed ahead of the first stage in Israel.
Sunday’s 21st stage was largely a formality and Froome’s task became all the simpler when it was decided to neutralise the stage after three laps because of dangerous spots on the cobble-stoned streets of Rome.
